[ another pause as the hold on ace's arm and fingers placed on the tattoo change. it's less about being fixated on it and sort of more of reveling in it. a silent questioning of how long it had been there. ace probably won't exactly understand the shift unless he's already picked up on it because sabo will take one further step into ace's personal space as he meets him eye-to-eye. ]

Yet, you are also somehow still able to say stupid things like wondering if you deserved to exist or not. [ his hand sliding down ace's arm to deliver a slight pinch to his side. yes, he's aware of the mutually felt sharp pain in his side but it's worth it. ] If you were going to carry this as a reminder of me, then you should have also been reminded of how much you've meant to me.

[ cue the gesturing at the tattoo...or, well, the inky mess on ace's arm now, i guess. ]